School System In Anguilla?

by Debbie
(UK)

I wondered if you could answer a couple of questions for me:

1. Are there many positions for boat captains/skippers (qualified) on the island? We own a shipping company in the UK, but are keen to relocate. My husband is a qualified ships captain but also yachtsman. (UK)

2. We have 5 young children. What is the school system like?

Many thanksDebbie

Dad's Reply: Debbie, everyone is a boat captain in Anguilla! ;-) It sounds like your husband would fit right into Anguilla. I've never seen positions open for "industrial-level" boat captains, though. Researching through the shipping industry is likely to be higher yield.

As always, and I give this advice often regardless of the type of job being sought, coming down here and meeting folks is the best way to go. Drop down to the pier at Sandy Ground and figure out who you need to meet. Worst case, you have a nice vacation. Best case, you make a contact who can help you out and keep an eye open after you leave.

The public school system is British education, but has just enough room for its own children. You'll probably be looking at private schools like Omolulu or Christian Central in Anguilla. Our daughter, Yuki, did her Grade 12 in St. Martin, at Caribbean International Academy (Canadian system). There is an American school there, too, called Learning Unlimited. Both are very good. Find the above on the Web for current fees and other info.

Aftercare Facilities For Children In Anguilla

by Stacy
(United States)

i am planning to relocate to Anguilla with my 8 year old. What can you say about the availability of aftercare facilities for him and the projected cost of this?

Dad's Reply Stacy, I'll assume you have all your ducks in a row and are moving down here. If not, this is a "detail" and, as discussed elsewhere in this section, there are bigger issues to settle first.

Regarding after-school care, my wife volunteers at an after-school program where she tutors children 5 and up in math and english. It's free. I don't know if every school in every part of Anguilla has a program like this.

However, this is a resourceful country where you can get a few moms together and make your own program. Ask, of course, whoever you'll be working with. (I assume you'll be working with someone, hence the need for after-school care.) Ask the school, too.

Your best bet is to come down and find out more from these and other resources. Sorry I can't be more specific. If anyone reading this has any other information, please jump in! :-)

Comments for Anguilla Schools

I understand your anxiety, but don't worry. It will all work out. Many ex-pats have faced and solved the same question.

Your options are to either send your son to the...

1) one of the local public schools

2) local private schools (Omolulu and Christian Baptist, although I'm not sure if the latter is still open)

3) St. Maarten private school.

By the time we moved here, I was already in University, going to school in New York. Yuki, though, was entering her final year of high school and went to Caribbean International Academy in St. Maarten (K-12).

It was an interesting experience for her to take a school boat (with about 7-8 others) instead of a school bus. She would have an occasional "rough sea day" instead of the "snow days" that we used to have in Canada.

Aside from that, it was basically a Canadian education. She completed the official Ontario, Canda curricumulm and then went on to F.I.T. in New York. (There is another private K-12 with an American curriculum.)

I'm sure you will find an answer that best meets your child's needs and abilities and that fits your budget. Good luck and enjoy living in Anguilla!

Warm regards!

Jul 15, 2016Rating

Moving to Anguilla from South Africa with my 4 year old boyby: Jackie

Hello,

My name is Jackie. My sister-in-law lives and works in Anguilla. We reside in South Africa. She has a job lined up for my husband (her brother) and wants us all to move to Anguilla.

My concern is finding a "school" for my son and how we would go about doing this. We have never been overseas before and have never lived in a foreign country.